It is possible to deal effectively with complex urban or environmental problems
by fostering comprehensive thinking and communication/negotiation skills.

The Program in Urban Design was established as a graduate school curriculum at SNU in 1998 to satisfy the era’s demand for global competitiveness in urban design. The program combines courses from the College of Engineering’s majors in architecture; civil, urban, and geosystem engineering; agriculture and life sciences; landscape architecture; and the graduate school of the environment. It educates students to solve problems and improve life in urban environments.

Using the information provided by the various majors, the Program in Urban Design helps students to improve their comprehensive thinking and negotiating skills, and prepare to address complex urban environmental problems. Core subjects include design studios and seminars, where students gain knowledge and learn methods of applying it. Courses on other subjects such as soil utilization and traffic planning, urban infrastructure, urban development, urban economics, place marketing, public finance techniques, and geographic information are provided to support students’ learning. This program combines the areas of architectural design and urban landscape planning, with a focus on managing and developing actual cities and the necessary planning and design techniques and policies. Research areas include urban redevelopment and housing development techniques, environmentally friendly urban design techniques, and new town planning and design techniques.